Magma Borers
The Magma Borer is a large creature native to the extreme world of Crematoria. Scientists and planetologists have yet to be able to explain so many things about the planet and the unknown lifeform that made it possible.
Full Description
The Magma Borer is a large creature native to the extreme world of Crematoria. Scientists and planetologists have yet to be able to explain the fact that despite have a wildly violent atmosphere, Crematoria has a breathable oxygen atmosphere. The planet swings from 700 degrees F on the day side down to a chilly -100 degrees on the night side. Spontaneous combustion follows the night terminator, eliminating the oxygen supply from the air. The rich mixture of sulfate and carbon compounds in the air further fuels the combustion wave that circles the planet.
Planetologists discovered some of the geothermal vents that dot the savage and broken landscape of the planet do not exhale the typical mixture of carbon gases, vaporized sulfer and other volatile chemicals. Quite amazingly they found geysers of O2 gas. The emission rate was very steady from the vents, and measurements from the vents remained at a constant rate, whereas the emission from the other poisonous vents changed with each passage of the combustion wave.
Robot exploration devices repeatedly penetrated these O2 chimneys and found something extrodinary. Deep under the crust, usually 1500 to 2500 feet beneath the rock there are living creatures. They resemble terrestrial baranacles with thick, dense shells that seem impervious to heat and the pressure found at such depths. The creature inside is a composite organism, a synthesis of a silicone based life form that refines the gases and minerals of the sub-crust into digestable matter for the larger carbon based creature. The entire beast is at least 15 feet wide, and weighs an estimated 5 to 8 tons.
The creature exhales oxygen, nitrogen, and other trace gases as it metabolizes the excretions of the silicate creatures that line it's shell. Little more is known about the creatures, as the violent climate doesnt lend itself to research, and no way has been found to extract such a large animal from its burrow without killing it.
Additional Information
thought of this beastie after watching Chronicles of Riddick and wondering how in the hell did Crematoria have a breathable atmosphere with no O2 generating plants or other primitive life. Voila, the Magma Borers.
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? Responses (7)
These are an interesting creatures, even if they are attached to a movie. Though it does make sense and will explain a number of things in a number of worlds
Yes, I had the same problem with the movie and this is a nice way to explain that hole.
The creature fits well into worlds which should be devoid of Life as we know it... good work.
Aliens that are truely alien.
Hehe. The King has done it again!
I must add: I marvel at the way you play with language. Words seems to flow from you with little or no effort. Where CaptainPenguin is unrivalled for his poetic style, you excel in the art of well formulated and intelligent posting. If you chose the path of an author, I believe you will excel and prosper. (just believe in yourself. You have a gift - I hope you use it!)
Well, by now you probably understand that I think this post, as are all your posts, is well written. Why do I award it with a 4?
-Because I cannot think of that many relevant uses in most RPGs. A true 5 is like 'YES, I wanna use this and I CAN use this. RIGHT now as a matter of fact'
-Because it is nearly, but not fully, up there among the stars.
A nice idea and well-written. The way this is written makes me think you have some science background (do you?) which is cool (but b/c this is all fantasy/sci fi not critical). As always I'd love more info but overall a great post.
An excellent way of explaining one of my major gripes about that excuse for a world. It doesn't explain a few other details, such as why, with a thick atmosphere, the night side cools that rapidly, or how the surface is something that can be crossed safely 'as long as you stay in the shadows' even during the daylight, but it does do a good job of explaining the atmosphere being breathable.
Kassil- There must be some unknown compound in the atmosphere giving the planet a negative Greenhouse effect :)
Good solid post which almost redeems that rather unrealistic planet :)
My thought on that one is that if there was that much heat radiated by the nearby star, starships would be just as likely to melt or at least overheat.